Claims that police used excessive force against a man attending the Mardi Gras last weekend have prompted one Sydney barrister to speak out about his experience of police culture.

Nicholas Broadbent says too often NSW police act like a paramilitary force, a tendency reflected he says in their current uniforms of marching boots and cargo pants.

He told 702 Mornings the behaviour shows the view many police have of themselves is at odds with the public perception of the force, which the barrister says is often one of fear.

Mr Broadbent acknowledges many police are conscientious and face dangers with bravery.

But he says the entitlement of police to use force, under the Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act.

"I see the police as seeing themselves as a paramilitary style force. In my view is what arises is a kind of siege mentality. It is very very difficult for the public to have a great deal of trust in my view in the way that the police are going to deal with any particular situation," Mr Broadbent said.

"It's one thing to have a close connection with the community at the top levels. The difficulty is what happens out in the street?

"Once a person is charged with an offence it's very difficult for that person to gain any traction in making any sort of complaint at all as to the way that they've been treated," Mr Broadbent said.

"There is an enormous issue with the kind of weaponry that police are equipped with and the fact that, as some very recent cases have demonstrated, the level of knowledge as to the effect of what those weapons may have on a particular individual appears to be lacking," he said.

"There are numerous incidences though where people have come into contact with police and come away from the situation feeling in fact less safe than perhaps they would have if the police had not been there. And that is a real issue in my view," Mr Broadbent said.

"Should the police be viewed as a force or should they be a service? There is a question of perception," he added.